Emerson-Garfield Community

 

The City of Spokane and Spokane Arts announce the launch of the three-year pilot Asphalt Art Program that was approved last fall by the City Council to create visual interest and slow down vehicular traffic.

Artist applications are being accepted through July 31 at: https://spokanearts.org/opportunities/asphalt-art-artist-roster-application-open/.

Each piece of asphalt art will be in a location mutually agreed upon by neighborhoods, the City and Spokane Arts. Artwork will be painted directly on the street surface in a residential intersection (no arterials.)

Neighborhood councils can apply for a location to have asphalt art painted and select an artist from the artist roster in a few weeks. Under the program, each of the 29 neighborhoods will be able to commission an intersection art piece, which can include a variety of subjects, including, but not limited to, neighborhood council logo, mascot, Spokane icon, etc. Six community crosswalks – two in each Council district – also are a part of the program.

Once artists are on the roster, if chosen by a neighborhood, each artist will work with the neighborhood to create a final design. 

“We want to make sure that neighborhoods have a good selection of artists before we open up applications for an intersection art piece or crosswalk,” said Shelby Allison, Asphalt Art Manager for Spokane Arts.

Annie Deasy, Community Programs Coordinator in the City’s Office of Neighborhood Services, added: “Asphalt art represents about 6 percent of the annual traffic calming revenue and is one of the traffic calming strategies.”

The first intersection art piece that was recently painted as part of the program that has $972,750 is near the entrance of Riverfront Park on Spokane Falls Boulevard. The goal is for the remaining art pieces to be in residential areas and preferably not on bus routes.

The program is funded with revenue generated from tickets from Photo Red and Speed Radar cameras.
The project is part of the City’s Neighborhood Traffic Calming program. For questions regarding the Asphalt Art Program, contact Deasy at 509-625-6343 or adeasy@spokanecity.org or Allison at shelby@spokanearts.org.

Please join us for our annual Emerson Garfield Neighborhood potluck!

The potluck will be held at Emerson Park (116 W. Alice Ave, one block west of Monroe) on Wednesday, August 9th starting at 5 pm. Please bring your own chairs and food to share. There won’t be any grills available so bring pre-prepared food only.

This is a great chance to meet your neighbors and learn more about our neighborhood council.

Please let us know what you’ll be bringing, we have a spreadsheet to help us all figure out what’s needed and avoid bringing too much of the same thing.

We hope to see you there!

Food sign up sheet

The City’s Emergency Management Office monitors weather reports to determine whether the cooling spaces plan should be activated. If at least two consecutive days of 95-degree weather are predicted by the National Weather Service, the plan is activated.

Spokane’s library system is the cornerstone of the cooling areas plan. It utilizes existing resources that are staffed so it’s cost-effective, has ample space, is already in neighborhoods in various parts of the city and offers water, restrooms, books interactive play areas, wi-fi access, etc. Library locations include: Central (906 W. Main St.), Shadle Park (2111 W. Wellesley Ave.), Liberty Park (402 S. Pittsburg St.), Hillyard (4110 N. Cook St.), South Hill Library (3324 S. Perry St.) and Indian Trail (4909 W. Barnes Road). Libraries are open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon-4 p.m. Sunday; and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

If someone needs ride to a cooling area during an activation period (when the temperature is at least 95 for two or more days) if they board a STA bus and mention they can’t pay for it to the driver, the fare will be waved. Additionally the Salvation Army has vans that can meet people where they are at 24/7 and help connect them to local shelters. Call (509) 280-6860.

The Trent Resource and Assistance Center (TRAC) is another cooling space option. It’s a safe, healthy indoor facility that has separated spaces for different demographics. TRAC also offers meals and wrap around services to help homeless individuals on their journey out of homelessness. Check https://sheltermespokane.org for updated citywide shelter occupancy information as reported by shelter operators.

Splash pads are great places to cool down for free. Splash pads are operational daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 19 parks find the list here. The City’s six aquatic centers offer free open swimming. The pools are open June 20 – Aug 25 find the list here.

Visit the list of drinking fountains in parks as another way of staying hydrated.

All cooling areas have donated hydration drinks available for activations at the start of the hot summer season. The City has secured donations of products for the cooling areas, but additional donations of bottled water, Gatorade/Powerade, other caffeine-free hydration drinks, mini sunscreen products and single pack snacks are needed for future extreme weather events. Powder that is mixed with water goes farther than pre-mixed hydration drinks. Those interested in donating can email Director of Emergency Management Sarah Nuss at snuss@spokanecity.org. Donations are being accepted on weekdays this month and throughout August.

Meals on Wheels Spokane, 1222 W. Second Ave., is accepting new or unopened fans for homebound senior citizens.

Residents are urged to drink water, wear light-colored clothing, apply sunscreen and to not leave kids or pets in vehicles. The community is encouraged to take advantage of these facilities and their amenities as well as check on neighbors, friends, and family during heat waves. If you can help someone, please do.

For additional information and updates check the city’s Resources Available to Cool Off During Predicted Extreme Heat page.

We are looking for individuals or businesses to help fund our concert on August 26th. We need a little help to make this event free to everyone.

A $100 donation gives you:

a booth at the concert

a shout out on social media

and our gratitude for supporting our neighborhood

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Please join these local businesses and organizations in supporting the free concert:

City of Spokane Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS)

Corbin Park Homeowners Association

If you are interested in signing on as a sponsor of the event, please email the EGNC Treasurer at genebrake01@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE! The Emerson Garfield Neighborhood Council is pleased to once again present our Annual Concert in the Park on August 26th, 2023 from 5pm to 7pm at Corbin Park. We are thrilled to have the incredible Zonky Jazz Band as our entertainment. www.zonkyjazzband.com

This free concert is sponsored by these local businesses and organizations:

City of Spokane Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS)

Corbin Park Homeowners Association

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If you are interested in signing on as a sponsor of the event, please email the EGNC Treasurer at genebrake01@gmail.com